John h



Y (No Model.)

' J. H. IRWIN.

MILK CAN PROTECTOR.

No. 370,144. Patented Sept. 20, 1887'.

W] T NESSES ATTORNEY 'NITED STATES M l LK=CAN PROTECTO R.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 370,144, dated September 20. 1887.

Application filed Juiy 18, 1887. Serial No. 244,619.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN H. IRWIN, of Burlington, in the county of Burlington and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and valuable Improvement in Milk-Can Protectors; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

My invention has relation to milk or similar cans; and it has for its object to keep the canhandles from flapping and prevent injury to their hinged or jointed connections by the jolting of the cans against one another during transportation.

My invention accordingly consists of a rubber or elastic band or strip provided at each end with hooks or fastening devices for securement to the handles for holding them down or close to the adjacent surface of the can, and for furnishing an elastic packing between the cans when standing side by side for transportation, and, further, of the combination, construction, and arrangement of parts comprising said band or strip, as hereinafter described and claimed.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a perspective of two separate milk or other cans side by side, one of which has its handles connected by an elastic band or strip in accordance with my invention; Fig. 2, a perspective of the band or strip detached from the can, and Fig. 3 a sectional View of one of the hooks for the ends of the band.

A represents a tubular or other suitablyconstructed textile, rubber, or other band or strip,which is preferably made elastic, and its ends a are furnished with hooks or clasps B B.

I prefer to make the band A of a tubular piece of rubber, and provide the hooks B with tapering sockets b for the reception'of the ends a of band A, which ends and sockets are securely connected by tapering plugs G, driven into the bore of the ends of the band, as shown more plainly in Fig. 3.

The use of the band or strip Ais as follows: The cans D, having handles E hinged or pivoted at e to the cans, are made ready for trans- (No model.)

portation by connecting their handles by a band, A, the hooks B on the ends of the band engaging with the handles to keep them in close contact with the sides of the can, so that they cannot move to and from the can or produce a flapping noise. Theband passes around the outside ofthe can and projects beyond its periphery, as shown to the left of Fig. 1, and forms an elastic or soft packing between two adjacent cans, as illustrated in Fig. l, to prevent jolting of the cans together when transported upon cars, wagons, or other conveyances. The cans, as well as the hinged or pivotal connections for the handle, are thus protected from injury.

As the band or strip A is readily applied to the cans and correspondingly removable therefrom, they are convenient for use.

In the drawings I have shown only one band or strip A connecting the handles E; but, if desired, two bands may be used, in which case the can is entirely surrounded by the band or packing A.

\Vhat I claim is- 1. The combination, wit-h the handles of a milk or other can, of the band A, having hooks or clasps on each end, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The tubular elastic band A, having hooks B at its end, substantially as set forth.

" The elastic band A, having tubular ends 0. fitting tapering sockets b on hooks B. and fasteningplngs G, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination of two hooks, 13, having, tapering sockets b, elastic conneetingband A, having tubular ends fitting said sockets, and tapering plugs O, for securing the ends of the band or strip A to the sockets I), substantially as set forth.

5. The combination, with the hinged or pivoted handle of a can or receptacle, of a removable elastic band or strip connecting said hair dles, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN H. IRWIN. \Vitnesses:

LEMUEL O. REEVEs, THOMAS J. IlIORRIS. 

